What happened to Josh Waitzkin?

Sort:
Conflagration_Planet
rliebich wrote:

Chess is hard to figure. As deep and as glorious as it is, the game has a human side. Perhaps the meteoric rise and subsequent tragedy that was Bobby had some influence on Josh. Unless you can walk a mile in the shoes of a true prodigy, and how many can honestly make that claim, then it's hard to judge Josh. You can admire his accomplishments, and wish him the best. I don't believe it's about the money. Only a few can understand the true cost the game exacts on such players. Theirs is the truest understand the game. Go figure.

I've got a simpler answer. He stated many times in his book, that he loved watching people squirm across a chessboard before he handed them there arse. When he finally reached the level where he wasn't the only prodigy in the room, and people were handing him HIS arse, and watching HIM squirm, he "Lost the love." for chess.

Rhiggins123
Conflagration_Planet wrote:
rliebich wrote:

Chess is hard to figure. As deep and as glorious as it is, the game has a human side. Perhaps the meteoric rise and subsequent tragedy that was Bobby had some influence on Josh. Unless you can walk a mile in the shoes of a true prodigy, and how many can honestly make that claim, then it's hard to judge Josh. You can admire his accomplishments, and wish him the best. I don't believe it's about the money. Only a few can understand the true cost the game exacts on such players. Theirs is the truest understand the game. Go figure.

I've got a simpler answer. He stated many times in his book, that he loved watching people squirm across a chessboard before he handed them there arse. When he finally reached the level where he wasn't the only prodigy in the room, and people were handing him HIS arse, and watching HIM squirm, he "Lost the love." for chess.

I've read his book and not once did he say that.  There is no need to be resentful for him quitting chess.  He no longer enjoyed it because the movie made fans crowd around him and ask for autographs and pester him.

Conflagration_Planet
Rhiggins123 wrote:
Conflagration_Planet wrote:
rliebich wrote:

Chess is hard to figure. As deep and as glorious as it is, the game has a human side. Perhaps the meteoric rise and subsequent tragedy that was Bobby had some influence on Josh. Unless you can walk a mile in the shoes of a true prodigy, and how many can honestly make that claim, then it's hard to judge Josh. You can admire his accomplishments, and wish him the best. I don't believe it's about the money. Only a few can understand the true cost the game exacts on such players. Theirs is the truest understand the game. Go figure.

I've got a simpler answer. He stated many times in his book, that he loved watching people squirm across a chessboard before he handed them there arse. When he finally reached the level where he wasn't the only prodigy in the room, and people were handing him HIS arse, and watching HIM squirm, he "Lost the love." for chess.

I've read his book and not once did he say that.  There is no need to be resentful for him quitting chess.  He no longer enjoyed it because the movie made fans crowd around him and ask for autographs and pester him.

What book?

Allegretta

For some reason, I don't really like the movie that much. I'm thrilled it

led to a renewed interest in Chess, but  I always felt there was something

missing in the movie?

Conflagration_Planet
Allegretta wrote:

For some reason, I don't really like the movie that much. I'm thrilled it

led to a renewed interest in Chess, but  I always felt there was something

missing in the movie?

It wasn't accurate, for one thing.

Conflagration_Planet
hardpup wrote:

The movie was way too violent too.

Har Har.

stalematingintellect
Conflagration_Planet wrote:
Rhiggins123 wrote:
Conflagration_Planet wrote:
rliebich wrote:

Chess is hard to figure. As deep and as glorious as it is, the game has a human side. Perhaps the meteoric rise and subsequent tragedy that was Bobby had some influence on Josh. Unless you can walk a mile in the shoes of a true prodigy, and how many can honestly make that claim, then it's hard to judge Josh. You can admire his accomplishments, and wish him the best. I don't believe it's about the money. Only a few can understand the true cost the game exacts on such players. Theirs is the truest understand the game. Go figure.

I've got a simpler answer. He stated many times in his book, that he loved watching people squirm across a chessboard before he handed them there arse. When he finally reached the level where he wasn't the only prodigy in the room, and people were handing him HIS arse, and watching HIM squirm, he "Lost the love." for chess.

I've read his book and not once did he say that.  There is no need to be resentful for him quitting chess.  He no longer enjoyed it because the movie made fans crowd around him and ask for autographs and pester him.

What book?

The Art of Learning, rated 4.5 stars out of 5 by sheople, 1 star out of 5 by people who have a clue.  http://www.amazon.com/Art-Learning-Journey-Optimal-Performance/dp/0743277465

Conflagration_Planet

He stated it in his his 1995 book "Attacking Chess"   He didn't say he handed them their ass, but he did say that he loved to see people squirm. I will bring you the exact quote, when I have more time. No later than a day or two. Promise.

forrie
Conflagration_Planet wrote:
hardpup wrote:

The movie was way too violent too.

Har Har.

hehe

varelse1

If you knew what degree blackbelt Josh was rocking, you wouldn't be saying jack about him!

Conflagration_Planet
samog123 wrote:

Why did josh quit chess? Easy, because he wanted to! Its amazing how many ppl want to speak and think for another human being. Josh was a prodigy and his father moved him into the chess direction and he did well. But it wasn't his Love! Did all of u do exactly what your parents wanted for you? Are u doing the same things at 50yrs old as u did whenu were 10? As for josh playing ability, ill tell you whay Jeff Sarwer said in a las vegas interview. He said, "He would need at least 6 months of chess practice and up to date study on chess theroy and he said he would regain his old form and make many Many GM'S nervous if he were to show up at a big chess event!

I don't know why so many jerks keep saying his father pushed him into chess. Read his book, "Attacking Chess." He said just the opposite. Also he stated many times in there, that he LOVED chess.

Allegretta

I think I know what I didn't like about the movie: Something about the father.

This is just speculation, but maybe the movie made it seem like the father

was too much the engine behind Josh, and that has given some people the wrong impression????     Just an idea...

Conflagration_Planet
Allegretta wrote:

I think I know what I didn't like about the movie: Something about the father.

This is just speculation, but maybe the movie made it seem like the father

was too much the engine behind Josh, and that has given some people the wrong impression????     Just an idea...

Apparently, the right idea. Movies about people's lives are never very accurate. His book "Attacking Chess" didn't state that his father pushed him at all. His father was supportive, but it was Josh himself who was nuts about chess.

kco
Estragon wrote:

I'm sure Josh would be touched to see the number of you who want to have his baby.

Laughing

Conflagration_Planet
Estragon wrote:

I'm sure Josh would touched to see the number of you who want to have his baby.

Has his wife had it yet? He's been married for a while.

Rhiggins123

Josh Waitzkin has moved on from chess and has found a better interest in brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Tai-chi Push Hands.  As I said before the movie put too much pressure on him.  I believe that Searching for Bobby Fischer is based on a book that his dad actually wrote.

Conflagration_Planet
Rhiggins123 wrote:

Josh Waitzkin has moved on from chess and has found a better interest in brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Tai-chi Push Hands.  As I said before the movie put too much pressure on him.  I believe that Searching for Bobby Fischer is based on a book that his dad actually wrote.

True, but the movie is not accurate.

MrDamonSmith

And I believe in the movie at the end it had Josh winning the big tournament (here in Charlotte actually) by beating Jeff Sarwar in the last game. Bunch of crap all that was. The movie had people thinking Josh was the best for his age and all. But the truth is a movie about Jeff Sarwar (the real truth) would've been much better because if I'm correct Jeff was much stronger than Josh AND younger. Maybe much younger, have to look it up. That national championship game was really drawn and Josh was lucky to get that. It was an uphill fight for Josh most of the game because Jeff was the one with winning chances the whole way, simply because it was all Waitzkin could do just to hang on because Jeff really was the best player. Naturally better. Without all the training and priviledges Josh had. Jeff and his sister were actually homeless and from some accounts with an abusive father. Its a sad story that really would've made a good movie. Based on reality. Knowing the behind the scenes situation of Jeff and his family it kind of annoys me now they made that kid look like the evil bully type and privileged Josh look liked the prodigy.

MrDamonSmith

So here was this homeless kid in an abusive life without all the special privileges and training that Josh had and he was STILL a better player. In short: they made the movie about the wrong kid

Conflagration_Planet
MrDamonSmith wrote:

So here was this homeless kid in an abusive life without all the special privileges and training that Josh had and he was STILL a better player. In short: they made the movie about the wrong kid

Could be.

This forum topic has been locked